Q&A with Ebenezer Scrooge of IRT's 'A Christmas Carol'

During the famous curmudgeon's downtime between shows at the Indiana Repertory Theatre (now through Dec. 26), he answers several questions from the Star's Frank Espich about the holiday season, Christmas music and his reputation.
Frank Espich / The Star

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What movie acctor best portrayed you in the movies? After some thought Mr. Scrooge thought it would be Basil Rathbone in the 1954 TV version with Fredric March.(Photo: Frank Espich / The Star)Buy Photo

The holiday season is all about generosity and good cheer. What better way to get the other side of the story than to catch up with Ebenezer Scrooge (Ryan Artzberger) between performances of "A Christmas Carol" at the Indiana Repertory Theater. Knowing time is money, we made it quick.

Question: How is the current economy going for you? Are we talking Oprah money?

Answer: I don't know what an Oprah is. But, I continue to thrive in an economy in which the have-nots continue to jeopardize their future by going in debt.

Q: How do you feel about Christmas music in the shopping malls the day after Halloween?

A: The only thing I despise more than Christmas is Christmas music. And the only thing I despise more than that is shopping malls. I do, however, admire it as a marketing tool — piping the spirit of the season into the ears of those willing to pay for things with money they don't have.

Q: What is your Facebook profile like?

A: Facebook is frivolous.

Q: Boxers or briefs?

A: Undergarments are frivolous.

Q: Which actor best portrayed you in the movies?

A: I'm inclined to say Basil Rathbone. But that's only because of his extraordinary name.

They've all missed the mark. They seem to think I'm wrong in my opinions. Errant in my view of humanity, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Q: The current price of a fatted goose from Kincaid's Butcher Shop is roughly $70 for a pretty good size bird...

A: ..obscene!

Q: What's for the holiday meal at the Scrooge home?

A: I have to preface my answer: People are all too inclined to think of food as something pleasant. My father used to say, "Eat to live. Don't live to eat."

I have the same thing to eat every day. I stop at a perfectly unpopulated public house on the way (from work) and have the bland beef stew as well as the free bread sticks and salad bar.

Q: If a Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor were to be named after you, what would it be called? What would be a couple of the ingredients?

A: "Scrooge You!" Ingredients? Salt and vinegar.

Q: If you were running for mayor of Indianapolis, what would be your platform?

A: "Every man for himself." Or, "Don't you have better things to do?" and, "Get out of my office!"

Q: If you could ask Charles Dickens for a do-over, what phrase would you most like to become your signature sign-off other than "Bah, humbug"?

A: Balderdash! (And then he walked off.)

Mr. Scrooge can be seen in "A Christmas Carol," now through Dec. 26, at the IRT OneAmerica Stage, 140 W. Washington St. Tickets are $30 to $67 for adults and $15 to $30 for students. For information, visit IRTLIVE.COM.

For a guide to 10 great local holiday theater productions, visit indystar.com/thingstodo.